RJ45 or DB9? DCE or DTE? Yost or custom? Straight or rollover? – said no USB console user ever. RS-232 wiring, especially over the ubiquitous RJ45/8P8C console connector, comes in a staggering (and often frustrating) variety of pinouts. And if you find yourself without the correct adapter or cable, it’s time to pull out the crimping tool.

USB connectors are limited to just a few standardized Types, Mini B being common for consoles. Opengear’s USB Type A ports make cabling a console just like plugging it into a laptop.

As is often the case, the price of hardware simplicity is software complexity. Not all USB consoles are created equal, and communications requires a compatible USB TTY driver on the device you’re connecting from.

Our USB console server solution handles this complexity automatically, so Opengear users can connect and manage USB consoles from the widest range of vendors completely oblivious to driver requirements – the way it should be.

Run cable run

USB is limited to 5m/16’5″ for self-powered devices, whereas RS-232 stretches as far as 150m/500′ at 9600 baud, making USB is better suited for in-cabinet connections, rather than extended runs around a row, room or building.

The best is the one you have

Your decision about whether to use RS-232 or USB may be dictated by whatever the device has. USB is more common on consumer grade and branch office equipment, while enterprise grade and rack mount infrastructure will be more likely to offer RS-232 – and many devices have both.

And of course your Opengear doesn’t have infinite ports either (we’ll let you know when we’ve invented that!), so you’ve got to consider both port supply and demand.